Academic Policies

To make it possible for students to complete a rigorous academic program of study while pursuing a progressive study in a particular fine art area, the school has established a fine arts waiver. Students who, as ninth graders, take four Group I courses, P.E., and a fine arts course each semester, and who subsequently take five Group I courses plus one fine arts course each semester for the next three years (in a single area of fine arts), may request to waive one semester of an elective religion. For purposes of the fine arts waiver, an AP lab science counts as one class. A student who is thinking of applying for a fine arts waiver for his senior year should be discussing with his advisor the academic implications of a waiver as early as the spring of sophomore year. Students may formally apply for the fine arts waiver during the spring of junior year by filling out the waiver application and returning it by the stated deadline in March. Students will be informed of the school’s decision prior to the final registration deadline in early April.

To make it possible for students to complete a rigorous academic program of study while pursuing a progressive study in a particular publication (yearbook or newspaper), the school has established a publications waiver. Students who, as ninth graders, take four Group I courses, P.E., at least one semester of a fine arts course, and at least one additional semester course that satisfies an area graduation requirement, and who subsequently take five Group I courses plus the same publications class each year for the next three years, may request to waive one semester of an elective religion or one semester of fine arts. Newspaper students may also qualify by taking four years of newspaper, in which case a 9th grade fine art is not required. For purposes of the publications waiver, an AP lab science counts as one class. A student who is thinking of applying for a publications waiver for his senior year should be discussing with his advisor the academic implications of a waiver as early as the spring of sophomore year. Students may formally apply for the publications waiver during the spring of junior year by filling out the waiver application and returning it by the stated deadline in March. Students will be informed of the school’s decision prior to the final registration deadline in early April.

The Lovett School reserves the right to place a student in alternate courses when first-choice requests cannot be honored or when the student’s previous academic achievement and learning characteristics suggest a particular placement. Final placement decisions are based on a student’s mastery of basic skills, previous achievement, and level of maturity.

What are honors courses?Courses designated as honors at The Lovett School include additional material and greater depth of investigation of concepts than are found in their college prep counterparts. Students are expected to demonstrate advanced critical thinking skills and the ability to apply knowledge to unique situations. Students enrolled in honors courses should be highly motivated and willing to invest more time than is commonly required in a non-honors course.

Selection ProcessThe selection process for honors and AP courses varies by department but may include an assessment of the student’s grades, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores, curricular and extracurricular loads, and academic standing in comparison with other students eligible for the course. Enrollment in previous honors or AP courses does not guarantee automatic re-enrollment in these sections. Students who enroll in year-long AP courses are expected to remain in the course for the entire year.

Grade Minimum to remain in Honors / APOnce enrolled in an honors or AP course, the student is expected to maintain solid performance, as evaluated by the instructor (semester grades of B- or higher). Any student not maintaining these requirements may be removed from the class at the conclusion of the fall semester.

AP ExamsLovett expects AP students to take AP examinations in lieu of spring-semester finals. The cost of the AP standardized examination is not included in tuition; approximate fees are noted with the course descriptions. With an AP teacher’s and department chair’s approval, a student facing extenuating circumstances may petition the Director of Studies to complete a culminating assessment instead of an AP examination. This same process applies to a student undertaking a senior project. Teachers and the Upper School Director of Studies may also grant permission for students not enrolled in AP courses to take AP examinations.

Summer Tutoring to Prepare for HonorsStudents who are recommended to move from the general level into honors may be required to complete summer tutoring to prepare for the move and may also be required to take a placement test before the move is confirmed.

Honors / AP Designation to StudentsIn certain disciplines when an entire section cannot be designated honors/AP, the school may designate the student as an honors/AP student. The student must then fulfill the honors/AP requirements given to him by the instructor.

The Lovett School reserves the right to cancel a course if there is insufficient student enrollment or insufficient faculty availability. If a course is canceled, the registrar will notify students to make another selection.

Before each semester begins, the school sets aside certain days for students and/or parents to make approved changes in their upcoming semester’s schedule at no charge to the student:

The last day for first-semester changes: Friday, August 19The last day for second-semester changes: Friday, December 9

After those dates, a $50 processing fee is charged for any approved student-/ parent-initiated schedule changes. After the first three weeks of a semester, a student may not add a new course.

Student-initiated course withdrawals after the first three weeks of the semester must be reviewed by the director of studies and/or Upper School principal. When allowed, transcripts will indicate one of the following, depending on the student’s grades at the time of the withdrawal: WP (Withdrawn-Passing) or WF (Withdrawn-Failing).

If a teacher recommends that a student change from one level of a course to another, the above fees and deadlines do not apply. Such changes must be approved by the department chair and director of studies, and may not occur in the final marking period of either semester. The transcript will reflect only the level the student completed at the end of the semester.

A student may receive credit only once per academic course. If a student repeats an academic course for which credit has already been granted, the repeated course will not earn credit. The grade will be shown and will be counted in the GPA.

A failure (F) in any subject for either semester may necessitate summer school attendance. Failure to attend summer school when recommended could require repetition of the entire course during the following school year, affecting the date of graduation or future enrollment.

Note: Students who wish to earn credit for non-Lovett summer school must make that request in writing prior to enrollment in the course. Forms for this purpose are available from the dean of academic affairs.